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On'yomi
カイ
KAI
Kun'yomi
く.いる・く.やむ・くや.しい
kuiru / kuyamu / kuyashii

repent · regret

Details

Strokes9
Frequency#1460
Radicalheart(4)

Stroke Order

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Strokes9

Component Breakdown

=

heart + 每

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of heart and every. Regretting in heart every day.

Symbolism

Regret, remorse, reflection. Represents regret for past actions.

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

亢龍有悔

こうりょうゆうかい

the arrogant dragon will have cause to repent; he who reaches the top is bound to fail if he is not prudent; the arrogant dragon will have cause to repent

Proverbs & Idioms

後悔先に立たず

こうかいさきにたたず

Regret never comes first

There is no use crying over spilt milk; hindsight is always too late

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 悔 mean in Japanese?

悔 means repent, regret.

How do you read 悔?

On'yomi: カイ (KAI). Kun'yomi: く.いる、く.やむ、くや.しい (kuiru, kuyamu, kuyashii).

How many strokes does 悔 have?

悔 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 心 (heart).

Is 悔 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 悔 (repent, regret) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.

Explore by meaning:kanji for regret